How to Cut Grass Around Sprinkler Heads: 5 Simple Steps

Installing sprinkler heads on your lawn is itself a challenge. But as time passes, you will notice that the grass is slowly growing around the sprinkler heads and blocking the irrigation system.

Seeing this, your first reaction would be how to cut grass around sprinkler heads or clean them using a lawn mower.

But the problem is that using a lawn mower to clean these grasses can damage the sprinkler heads and hamper the irrigation system.

So the question is, how to cut the grass those have grown around your sprinkler heads?

To help you get the solution, we’re with this detailed guide, which will show a step-by-step way to clean the grass around your sprinkler heads without damaging them.

How to Cut Grass Around Sprinkler Heads

Just like your lawn, your sprinkler heads need to be kept from dirt, debris, and grass.

The reason is that grass can block the watering system and obstruct the irrigation facilities.

Moreover, grass can even go inside the sprinkler heads and block the line. As a result, it causes an inefficient irrigation system, wastes more water, and can even damage the sprinkler system or pipe.

To avoid all these, cutting the grass around the sprinkler heads is necessary.

But before we move into the trimming part, you need to have some essential tools to do the operation.

Tools for Removing Grass Around Sprinkler Heads

• Sprinkler Head Trimmer: It is used to cut the grass blades around the sprinkler heads. Also, you can dig a hole with it around the sprinkler head.
• Trowel: In case you don’t have a sprinkler head trimmer, you can use a trowel to dig a trench around the sprinkler heads and keep the sprinkler head away from grass, dirt, and debris.

Here are the ways to trim grass around sprinkler heads-

Step 1: Turn off the Sprinkler System

The first step is to turn off the sprinkler system.

After that, wait till the grass and the other parts become dry.

You can trim the excess grass when the grass and the head are dried.

Besides, use colours/flags to mark out your lawn’s sprinkler heads.

This will help you identify each of them clearly and easily chop off the excess grass.

Step 2: Use Sprinkler Head Trimmer to Remove a Ring of Sod

In this step, you need to grab a trimmer and remove a hole 1 inch from the turf.

You need to select a sprinkler head trimmer with a diameter of more than 1 inch.

To remove the turn, you need to position the trimmer on top of the head of the sprinkler and press in a downward direction.

After that, rotate it 360 degrees in a clockwise direction. When the hole is dug, remove the trimmer and the circle of the turf.

Step 3: Dig a Trench With a Trowel

If you don’t have a sprinkler head trimmer, you can also dig a trench with a trowel.

Keep in mind that the trench should have a depth of 2-3 inches and a diameter of 1 inch.

Grab the trowel and spade vertically on the lawn. Keep working till a trench is created. When the trench is done, discard the turf ring.

Step 4: Clean Grass Around Sprinkler Heads With Grass Shears

Before we go into the grass-cutting part, remember that, no matter what, you should keep the height of the grass and the mowing height the same.

Or else your lawn will look uneven and ugly.

You’ll need a pair of grass shears to cut the grass blades.

Use them to cut the blades of the grass around the perimeter of the trench you’ve already dug.

And be careful to keep the height of the grass and lawn the same.

Step 5: Brush Away Residues

When you’re done trimming grass around sprinkler heads, use a dry brush and brush away any excess grass blades or clippings around the head.

This will also help to keep the head area clean and tidy.

So in this way, you can easily trim or cut the grass around your sprinkler heads.

Remember that this process is the same every time you want to clean the area around your sprinkler heads.

Normally, it’s advisable to do this process during summer as the environment remains dry.

However, you can do this every 3-4 months and keep your lawn tidy!

How to Protect Sprinkler Heads From LawnMowers

A sprinkler head is not at all expensive. They come between $10 to $20. Although they’re cheap, that doesn’t mean you won’t take care of them.

Even if you’re not on a budget, it’s advisable to take care of your sprinkler heads and prevent them from lawnmowers.

One of the most straightforward solutions to protect your sprinkler heads from lawnmowers is using Concrete Donuts.

Concrete Donuts are made in such a way that they remain around the sprinkler heads and protect them from mowers.

Besides, the concrete doughnut has additional strength and comes in green colours to easily blend with your lawn.

They also help the grass cutters around sprinkler heads as they isolate the sprinkler heads from the blades of grass.

Also, it prevents grass growth around the heads and keeps the irrigation system smooth.

Conclusion

Who doesn’t want a clean, tidy, and beautiful-looking lawn? Everyone, right?

But it all comes down to how to maintain it.

Setting up sprinklers for irrigation is not enough to maintain your lawn, as the sprinkler heads can easily get blocked by grasses if not taken care of properly.

The unwanted grass and grass blades can prevent proper irrigation and block the water channel.

So, for this reason, it’s essential to know how to cut the grass around sprinkler heads.

As you’ve already read this far, we believe you now know how to do this.

So it’s your turn to try it and let us know whether it works. Thank you!

Frequently Asked Questions